Ex-New England mob boss arrested in murder of witness

Former New England mafia godfather Frank “Cadillac” Salemme was ordered held without bail today on charges he murdered a federal witness after prosecutors say he went on the run from a witness protection program.

“Cadillac Frank” Salemme was arrested Wednesday and will appear in federal court in Boston at 3 p.m.

Flemmi later told authorities that the elder Salemme said he disposed of the body in Rhode Island.

Salemme has admitted to killing eight others, but denied under oath any involvement in the murder of 43-year-old DiSarro. He denied another mobster’s claim that he watched his son strangle DiSarro and helped dispose of his body. He said Salemme denies the charges and is determined to bring the case to trial.

Salemme, who was the boss of the New England La Cosa Nostra in the 1990s until he was indicted on racketeering charges in 1995 and convicted in 1999, was arrested this morning in CT. Salemme agreed to a voluntary order of detention.

Salemme’s attorney said that he didn’t have details on the specific allegations against his client but that they would fight the charges.

A document filed in court says Salemme is charged with the murder of a witness on May 10, 1993, but it does not name the witness.

“I respect Fred Wyshak very much, as we know he’s been around a long time, I disagree with that assertion”, Boozang said.

As Target 12 was first to report, FBI investigators began searching for human remains behind 715 Branch Ave.in Providence earlier this year, and human remains were removed from the site on March 31.

DeLuca, 70, was arrested on June 27 in Florida and indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements about the DiSarro murder.